As seen in this photo essay, issues facing the region include mining, deforestation, energy needs and watershed protection.

The deadly floods brought by Cyclone Komen in 2015 caused hundreds of people in Chin State to lose their homes in landslides and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reported that over 190,000 acres were flooded on the plains of neighboring Sagaing Division.

With climate change, more flood-causing conditions are expected. Protecting northern Chin State’s vital watershed is now more urgent than ever.

Northern Chin State is at a crossroads. Its people may be led toward resource extraction and terrible “natural” disasters or it may instead choose a more cautious and well-informed path to sustainability and self-sufficiency.